Ongoing power projects in the GCC have been estimated to be worth up to SAR 607.5 billion, with Saudi Arabia accounting for around 50 per cent of the total investments according to recent industry reports. The massive power infrastructure development initiatives across the country provide a perfect backdrop for GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition, which will be held from Shawwal 30 to Zul Al-Qi’dah 2, 1430 (H) / October 19 to 21, 2009 at the Riyadh Marriott Hotel in Saudi Arabia to serve as a centralised venue for regional and international industry players to tap into the world's largest energy market.

GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition is owned by CIGRE, the GCC Regional Committee for Large Electric Systems, a leading global organisation in the field of high voltage electricity. For the fifth straight year, CIGRE is co-organising the event with IFP Qatar and Riyadh Exhibitions Company. Saudi Electric Company is also supporting the premier trade event as exclusive Platinum Sponsor.

Edward Rabbat, Deputy General Manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company said, "The significant number of power projects in Saudi Arabia has helped boost demand for innovative products and services as well as technologies and expertise in renewable power resources. GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition creates an interesting business-to-business platform for suppliers, technology vendors, government and corporate decision-makers and other trade visitors to identify and discuss evolving challenges in the regional power industry, and at the same time cultivate collaborative efforts among all industry stakeholders."

One of the major highlights of the GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition is the inauguration of a 400kV GCC Interconnector Grid, which was commissioned during the summer. The project underscores the cooperation among GCC countries in addressing power challenges, particularly in terms of higher reliability and security of the integrated power systems.

The GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition will gather around 500 international delegates who will discuss over 50 papers on electricity and energy. The conference will also hold dedicated sessions focusing on a wide range of industry topics, including system operation and control; system planning, development and technical studies; substations; reactive equipment; high voltage equipment; power transmission lines; HVDC and power electronics; and rotating electrical machines.

The trade conference and exhibition will feature two main events: 5th GCC CIGRE International Conference and the 14th Exhibition for Electrical Equipments. The GCC CIGRE conference is held annually in different GCC countries and is considered by the Council as its most important event; Saudi Arabia was chosen this year because of its leadership in the power field. The GCC arm of CIGRE was established by the GCC Ministers of Electricity & Water in April 1985 to facilitate technological and technical information exchange among the region’s member countries.